68 Proceedinffx. 



Watching through our telescopes, we could see every move- 

 ment of a fine party of nine Turnstones, splendid fellows in 

 bright breeding plumage, resplendent with red and brown, 

 pure white, and coal-black. Here too, mixed with a few 

 black-breasted Dunlin, six Bar- tailed Godwits were prodding 

 the sand with their flexible bills ; both these birds too were in 

 fine breeding plumage. 



A fine Widgeon Drake had joined them, and gave us ample 

 opportunities for admiring its chestnut neck and the white on 

 its head ; and twenty-four Whimbrel were silently dipping 

 their long, curved bills in the shallow water, evidently hunting 

 for small molluscs or shrimps. 



A few Eedshanks, handsome birds with distinct, white 

 markings, and one or two Kentish Plovers also were feeding 

 here. 



Next day the first item on our programme was to photo- 

 graph another nest of Norfolk Plover, this time situated 

 towards the lighthouse. It was, in all respects, similar to the 

 one seen the day before, and, like it, contained two richly- 

 coloured eggs. 



This over, we made all speed to the shore, passing great 

 clumps of the Nottingham Catchfly, which made a pleasant 

 change from pebble walking, as it frequently formed patches 

 several yards in extent. On neariug the coast we proceeded 

 very cautiously, and, raising our heads above the last bank of 

 stones, could see a little party of birds wading on the 

 glistening stretch of sand. These included Dunhn, some 

 Sanderling, and a few Ringed and Kentish Plovers. A log 

 of wood gave capital cover, and we were able to watch their 

 movements for some time, until, something alarming them, 

 they flew oflf — flashes of black and white — round a bend of 

 the high bank of shingle. 



Hundreds of Common Terns floated overhead with their 

 graceful, dipping, swallow-like flight, while here and there a 

 Lesser Tern might be distinguished by its smaller size ; both 

 were uttering their harsh cries, and swooping down now and 

 again to assure themselves their eggs were still safe. Ringed 

 Plovers ran swiftly among the pebbles, and occasionally 

 would fly past uttering their plaintive notes. 



